The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all affiliated universities and colleges to offer at least one semester of internship as part of their undergraduate programmes. The commission has asked colleges to offer internship-embedded degree programmes across all disciplines.
The concept of offering an internship or apprentice-embedded courses was first announced as part of the Budget 2020-21 announcement.
“The competencies demanded by the industry need to be embedded in our university curriculum so that the employment-employability gap is overcome. The minimal linkage between the general degree curriculum and employer’s requirement calls for an effective remodelling of degree programmes, driven by changing needs of the industry and service sector. Apprenticeship and internship can play a significant role in this context…You are requested to kindly promote apprenticeship/internship embedded degree programmes in your University as well as the colleges/institutions affiliated to your university,” the letter by the UGC read.
While any UG programme in any discipline is eligible to embed internship in their curriculum, the institutes have to offer these internships in consultation with sector skill councils like AICTE, FICCI and CII. As per guidelines, the internships need to be at least 20 percent of total credits for the UG course. It also needs to be off-campus work.
The duration of the internship should be at least one semester. It can be offered in either a continuous format or at intervals without altering the total duration or programme. Students will be given credits for the internship, which will be included in the total programme credit or in the result. Students will be eligible to take the master’s course based on the core subjects or internship. According to UGC, this will ensure ‘vertical mobility’ of students.
Source: The Indian Express
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